Humidifier



G. S. MORRIS May 23, 1950 HUMIDIFIER a m Y h T N 5 NM R m U T G. S. MORRIS May 23, 1950 HUMIDIFIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 3, 1945 Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for controlling moisture conditions in a room.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described having means for absorbing excess moisture from the atmosphere and thereby reduce dampness.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described having improved means for adding moisture to the atmosphere.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described comprising a container and a plurality of foraminous chambers within said container adapted to receive moisture absorbing substance, and means to induce a circulation of air through said chambers to accelerate the absorption of moisture.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which in summer may be used to absorb moisture from the air and which in Winter can easily be converted for use in adding moisture to the air.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a unit of the character described comprising a container, chambers within the container to carry moisture absorbing substance, means at the bottom of the container tocatch the water absorbed from the air, a vent at the top to allow air to pass out of the unit, and openings spaced above the bottom of the container to allow air to enter the unit whereby to permit circulation of air through the container, the arrangement being such that air passing through the unit must go through said chambers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described a plurality of tubular members made of screen or perforated material, wicks fitted over said tubular members, and a water pan at the bottom into which the lower ends of the wicks project whereby water from the pan will seep upwardly through the wick to provide a relatively large moisture evaporating surface for adding moisture to the atmosphere.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a neat, compact and durable unit of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and manipulate, attractive in appearance, and yet practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and. of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a unit embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. ,4 is a detailed view of a portion of a tubular container and a wick thereon;

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a detail;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating a modified construction; and

Fig. '7 is a partial perspective view of a modification.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, Ill designates a moisture controlling device embodying the invention. The same comprisesa container l l which may be made of sheet metal. Said container comprises generally a bottom member or pan l2, a cylindrical member l3 mounted thereon, and a cover member l4 mounted on the upper end of the cylindrical member I 3. The pan l3 has a bottom wall l5 and a cylindrical annular wall l6. Downwardly pressed legs I! may be formed on the bottom wall to keep the bottom off the floor, table or other support on which the device is mounted. At the upper end of the cylindrical wall 16 is an outwardly extending annular shoulder l8 provided with a rolled upwardly extending rim IS. The cylindrical member l3 has a lower edge 20 contacting the shoulder l8 and disposed within the bead l9. Said cylindrical member I3 is furthermore formed adjacent its lower edge with an annular horizontal row of spaced openings 23. At its upper end cylindrical member i3 is formed with an annular outwardly extending seat or shoulder 24 formed with an upwardly and outwardly rolled annular rim 25. At one side of cylindrical member l3 and just above the row of openings 23 is an opening 26 for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Soldered or otherwise attached to the inside of cylindrical member I3 below the upper end thereof, is a circular plate, wall, or diaphragm 30. The wall 30 may have a peripheral cylindrical flange 3| contacting the inner surface of wall l3. The wall 3t!v is furthermore formed with an outer circular row of equiangularly spaced openings 32, and with downwardly extendingrrim flanges 33 .atsaid openings. Said top plate 3!] is also formed with an inner annular row or equiangularly spaced openings 36 and with annular downwardly extending flanges 31 at said openings. The openings 36 may be smaller than the openings 32. The openings 36 are spaced from the openings 32 as shown in the drawing. At the center of plate 30 is a downwardly extending annular flange 46 formed with an inwardly extending annular rim flange 4| forming a central opening 42. If desired, plate 3%] insteadoi being soldered, riveted or otherwise flxed to member l3 may be removably supported on pins, rivets, or inwardly pressed lugs formed encylindrical wall [3 to permit the plate to be lifted off'said lugs.

Fixed to the flanges 31 and 33 are vertical tubular receptacles orjchambers 45 and 45, respectively The chambers 45 eachcomprise a icyli-ndrical wall 41 made of wire screening ma- .bottomplate 48 made of brass, copper, or other material which will resist moisture absorbing .materials...Plate .48 is formed with a number of apertures or holes 55. r The lower end'of each tubularnwall 41 :may. be crimped around plate 48, as at 5|, to prevent movement of the plate. The tubularmembersAG likewise each comprise a cylindrical wall 53 f screening, ioraminou'sor perforated material, attached by any suitable means to the upper end of the flange 33.

, At the lower end of each cylindricalwall 53 is a'bottom plate's l similar to plate'48 andlikewise .formed with aplurality of small opem'ngs. The lower end of each cylindrical wall 53 is likewise crimped around the peripheral edge or a bottom wall .5 The lowerends of the tubular walls 45 and 46 are located above the lower edge of cylindrical wall I3, as shown in Fig. l of the draw- 8- r Y 1 r Within flange 40 and resting .onfiange 4| is a 7 bottom plate 60, closing the central opening .in

fltted within flange 4011s a vertical upwardly extending tubular member '56 likewise made of screening or foraminous orapertured material. 7

@ The-cover l4 comprises atop wall it andan 'annulan-cylindricahwall 1]. The lower edge 12 of wall? rests on shoulder z t-and within the bead =25. The top wall It is formedwit-h a pc- '7 vripheral upwardly extending ridge-13,- if desired. At thecen-ter of the top walls 19' is a'down- --ward-ly .extendingannular-flange i5 forminga :central opening. The upper end of the tubular screening member 66 receives said flange 15. It

'will now be understood that the cover l lmay be lifted .ofi the cylindrical member l3 and that the cylindrical member may be'lifted off the p in or abottom member l2. r

ithin the opening 2t and attached to the tcylindrical'wall 13 is an; electric socket member -8fl.'-:Connected=to the socket 80 is wiring} Leis:

l-tending upwardly within cylindrical member l3 .andythrough a suitable opening 82 in theton .wall#.30.' The wiringal extends-along the upper side of the top wall 30 and through a suitable" 70 0f the above invention,.and as various changes 4 opening in the screening tube 66 and then passes through tube 62 for connection to the terminals of the socket 63. An electric connector 85 serves to supply house current for illuminating the bulb 64.

The method of using the improved device II] will now be described:

Anhydrous calcium chloride or calcium chloride flake or other moisture absorbing material may be placed in the bottom of thetubular members 45 and 46. It will be noted that the wicks and 9! fitted on the tubes and d6 are not usedwhen the device is being operated as a unit for removing moisture from the atmosphere. Air enters the unit through the openings 23 and passes through the screen chambers 45 and 46 coming in contact with'the moisture absorbing material in the bottom of said tubes. The air then circulates upwardly through the openings 33 and 36 and through tube, 66 passing outwardly through the opening inthe' cover. 'Whenthe bulb 64 is illuminated, thefheat'createdwil'l cause an upwardly draftto accelerate the circulation of air through the unit. 7

Excess absorbed moisture will dropdown into the bottom of pan 12. The pan may be emptied from time to time. V

It will benoted that the device may. be used in'the house and when placedon the floor era into the pan [2.

table it may serve as a support since articles.

may be placed on the top wall 10 of the cover which is flat and serves in itself as a table top. .In'winter the device may be used 'foradding moisture to the atmosphere. .Whenused in such manner, .of course,- no. moisture absorbing material is placed .in the tubular members 35, .46. Instead, tubular wicks 30, BI arefitted over said tubular members. The wicks. are longer than the tubular membersanld project downwardly Water may beplaced in the pan and said water will seep upwardly through the wicks. The wicks will thussupply a considerable evaporation surface, and air circulated through the device willremove moisture .from the wicks. The moisture willthus pass into the atmosphere. The bulb 64 maybeused to increase the draft when the device is usedeither for absorbing moisture or adding moisture.

Any air passing through the unit must go through the'chambers 45, 46.. V r

In Fig. 6 there is showna modified construc- ;tion. It is similar to that shown in Fig. 5 with the exception that on bottom .plate' Bil is mounted a blower or fan comprisinga motor =93 having a base 90a fixed'to plateby bolts 30b. The motorrotates the fan blades'al' to create an up- "ward flow of air to'increase the draft through .the unit 10. It will-now be understood thatthe draft may-be increased both by the fan .as well as the lamp 64 whichis connected to the .wiring in tube 62. f a g In Figure 7, there is shown a partial view-.of'a modification in which both the fan 9| and the heating lamp 54 are employed. 7 V i g It will thus beseen'. that there is provided a device in'which'the several objectsuof this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions ofpractieal use.

As various'possible embodiments might be made Lmig'ht be made in the embodiment above set ,forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing 7 isto be inte preted as illustrative and'notin-a limiting sense. r

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A device of the character described comprising a container, a transverse wall within said container, a water pan at the bottom of the container, said transverse wall being formed with one or more openings, a foraminous receptacle attached to the transverse wall at each opening, and projecting downwardly therefrom, and said container being formed with an opening below said transverse wall, and with an opening above said transverse wall whereby air passing into the container through the opening below the transverse wall will pass through said receptacles and through the openings in the transverse wall and out through the opening in the container located above the transverse wall, heating means within said container and below said transverse wall for aiding circulation of draft through said container, and wicks on said receptacles and projecting downwardly therefrom.

2. A device of the character described comprising a container, a transverse wall within said container, a water pan at the bottom of the container, said transverse wall being formed with one or more openings, a foraminous receptacle attached to the transverse wall at each opening, and projecting downwardly therefrom, and said container being formed with an opening below said transverse wall, and with an opening above said transverse wall whereby air passing into the container through the opening below the transverse wall will pass through said receptacles and through the openings in the transverse wall and out through the opening in the container located above the transverse wall, heating means within said container and below said transverse wall for aiding circulation of draft through said container, and a blower within said container and above said transverse wall for blowing air upwardly.

3. A device of the character described comprising a container, said container comprising a bottom pan having a bottom wall, a wall upstanding from said bottom wall, an outwardly extending shoulder at the upper end of said upstanding wall, and an upstanding flange at the outer periphery of the shoulder, a tubular member mounted on the pan and having its lower edge seated on said shoulder and within said flange, said tubular member being formed at its upper end with an outwardly extending shoulder, and an upstanding flange at the outer periphery of said last-mentioned shoulder, a cover having a top wall, and a skirted wall extending downwardly from the top wall, the lower edge of said skirted wall resting on the shoulder of said tubular member and within the flange of said lastmentioned shoulder, said cover, tubular member and pan being separable one from the other, a transverse wall fixed within said tubular member and below the upper end thereof, said transverse wall being formed with one or more openings, an apertured receptacle attached to the transverse wall at each opening and projecting downwardly therefrom, said tubular member being formed with one or more openings adjacent its lower end, the top wall of said cover being formed with an opening, and an apertured member extending from said transverse wall to the opening.

4. A device of the character described comprising a container, said container comprising a bottom pan having a bottom wall, a wall upstanding from said bottom wall, an outwardly extending shoulder at the upper end of said upstanding, wall, and an upstanding flange at the outer periphery of the shoulder, a tubular member mounted on the pan and having its lower edge seated on said shoulder and within said flange, said tubular member being formed at its upper end with an outwardly extending shoulder, and an upstanding flange at the outer periphery of said last-mentioned shoulder, a cover having a top wall, and a skirted wall extending downwardly from the top wall, the lower edge of said skirted wall resting on the shoulder of said tubular member and within the flange of said lastmentioned shoulder, said cover, tubular member and pan being separable one from the other, a transverse wall fixed within said tubular member and below the upper end thereof, said transverse wall being formed with one or more openings, an apertured receptacle attached to the transverse wall at each opening and projecting downwardly therefrom, said tubular member being formed with one or more openings adjacent its lower end, the top wall of said cover being formed with an opening, and an apertured member extending from said transverse wall to the opening, said receptacles being tubular and having apertured lower end walls located adjacent 'the openings in said tubular member.

5. A device of the character described com prising a container, said container comprising a bottompan having a bottom wall, a wall upstanding from said bottom wall, an outwardly extending shoulder at the upper end of said upstanding wall, and an upstanding flange at the outer periphery of the shoulder, a tubular member mounted on the pan and having its lower edge seated on said shoulder and within said flange, said tubular member being formed at its upper end with an outwardly extending shoulder, and an upstanding flange at the outer periphery of said last-mentioned shoulder, a cover having a top wall, and a skirted wall extending downwardly from the top wall, the lower edge of said skirted wall resting on the shoulder of said tubular member and within the flange of said lastmentioned shoulder, said cover, tubular member and pan being separable one from the other, a transverse wall fixed within said tubular member and below the upper end thereof, said transverse wall being formed with one or more openings, an apertured receptacle attached to the transverse wall at each opening and projecting downwardly therefrom, said tubular member being formed with one or more openings adjacent its lower end, the top wall of said cover being formed with an opening, and an apertured member extending from said transverse wall to the opening, said receptacles being tubular and having apertured lower end walls located adjacent the openings in said tubular member, the apertured tubular member which extends from the transverse wall to the cover being fixed to the transverse wall of said cover, and said cover having a flange at its opening telescoping with said tubular apertured member.

6. A device of the character described comprising a container, said container comprising a bottom pan having a bottom wall, a wall upstanding from said bottom wall, an outwardly extending shoulder at the upper end of said upstanding wall, and an upstanding flange at the outer periphery of the shoulder, a tubular member mounted on the pan and having its lower edge seated on said shoulder and within said flange, said tubular member being formed at its 7 iig'iper end with an outwardly extending-shoulder; and an upstanding flange at the outer neriphery of said 1astmentioned shoulder. :2, cover having a top wall, and a skirted wall extending downwardly from the top'walL the lower edge of said skirted wall resting on the shoulder of said tubular memberand within the flange of said last.- mentioned shoulder, said cover, tubular member and pan being separable one from the other, a transverse wall fixed within said tubular memberrand'below the upperend thereof, "said transverse wall being formed with one or moreopenings, an aperturec'l' receptacle attached to the transverse wall at each openingan'd projecting downwardly therefrom, said tubular member being formed with one or more openings adjacent its lower end, the top wall of said never being formed with anopen'ing, and an apertured member extending from said transverse wall to the opening, said irecepta'cles being tubular and hav- 20 ing a flange at its opening telescoping with said tubular apertured member, an electric lamp mounted on said transverse wall and projecting downwardly therefrom, and said receptacles surrounding said'electric lamp.

"GEORGE S. MORRIS.

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